Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter was standing in front of the net, much like he was in this photo from a recent practice session, when he scored the overtime game-winner against the
Ottawa Senators on October 9.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Kings are 2-2-0 as they begin a four-game road trip this evening against the Carolina Hurricanes (4:00 PM PDT, televised on Fox Sports West). But as their .500 record indicates, it has been quite the struggle so far, and that includes their last game, a 4-3 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators on October 9, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, a game in which they blew a 3-0 lead.

Winger and team captain Dustin Brown noted that despite blowing a big lead, the Kings have enough experience to get them through difficult times.

“You never want to blow a three-goal lead, but at the end of the day, this team has been through a lot harder situations,” said Brown. “As a group of guys, we’re at that point where I don’t think a lot of things faze us.”

EL SEGUNDO AND LOS ANGELES, CA — After a 1-2-0 start to the still very young 2013-14 National Hockey League season, a quick spin through the World Wide Web forums where the Los Angeles Kings faithful congregate indicates that while many are not concerned with the team’s poor start, a significant number are already in panic mode.

Indeed, some fans are already pointing fingers, and railing against the performance of various players. Some have singled out goaltender Jonathan Quick. Even head coach Darryl Sutter has been under the microscope—some have commented that they believe he has lost control of his team, and has been tuned out by the players.

Former Los Angeles Kings forward Ian Laperriere (left) shares a moment with current Kings captain Dustin Brown (right), the only current Kings player who played with Laperriere during his time in Los Angeles.
Photo: Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images
and the Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES — Over the 45-year history of the Los Angeles Kings, there have been a number of fan favorites, but only a very select few come to mind before one thinks of former Kings forward Ian Laperriere.

No, Laperriere was not the big goal scorer or the gifted playmaker. Rather, he was the grinder, the player who did the dirty work in the corners, made the big hit, and dropped the gloves to stand up for his teammates, time and time again.

Now retired as a player, Laperriere was in town last week, with his trip to the Los Angeles area culminating with the Kings honoring him on February 23, when they handed the Colorado Avalanche—one of Laperriere’s former teams—a 4-1 defeat at Staples Center.

Former LA Kings defenseman Mattias Norstrom (center), was honored by the Kings
during a pre-game ceremony on October 30, 2010, when the Kings hosted
the New Jersey Devils at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Photo: Los Angeles Kings

EL SEGUNDO, CA — During the Los Angeles Kings’ February 14 practice session at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California, a strange, yet familiar figure was taking in the goings on, both on the ice and off.

This player patrolled the Kings blue line for more than ten seasons, serving as their captain from the 2001-02 season through 2006-07. The physical, stalwart blue liner was a warrior on the ice, a competitor as tough as they come—not necessarily in terms of dropping the gloves—and he always was the consummate professional.

2011-12 YEAR-IN-REVIEW: The Los Angeles Kings won the 2012 Stanley Cup. What is there to review or evaluate? Plenty. To start things off, here’s a look at how a “front office turnaround” set their run to the Stanley Cup in motion.

Given that they reached the pinnacle of achievement this season, what is there to review or evaluate?

Although some might think that is a waste of time, no Stanley Cup Championship team can rest on its laurels during the off-season and expect the same level of success. As players, coaches and general managers often say, improvement is always needed, and the Kings are no exception to that axiom.

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